I have been getting involved in the campaign for fair funding for all schools - nationally signing online petitions and more locally in Lambeth writing to my MP Helen Hayes as well as flyering at my son's school. The government wants to cut £25 million from Lambeth schools by 2019, meaning that some schools are having to save up to 25% of their budget. At my son's school they will lose out on £254,872 by 2019, the equivalent of £689 per pupil. Whilst I agree with the principle of providing additional support to pupils in challenging areas, I do not agree that these additional resources should be found by cutting funding to other schools. This will have inevitable consequences for curriculum breadth, staffing levels, lesson resources, extra-curricular opportunities, etc. I believe it would be fairer for all children if more money could be found for the following key aims:

Increasing investment in all schools by protecting funding in real terms for the life of this parliament
Providing the additional funding needed to implement the proposed formula so that funding for schools in more poorly funded areas is increased without cutting funding for other schools
Ensuring sufficient funding for children with significant special educational needs and disabilities

The government claims that there is not enough money available to do this, yet free schools are being built in areas where additional school places are not needed (as well as where there is a need) and there are plans for extra money to be pumped into grammar schools. Parents and teachers will be fighting their corner in the next few months to make sure that their voices are heard and that the National Funding Formula really means 'fair' funding'.

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